A NUCLEAR reactor will shut down for good this month in a bid to extend the operating life of Wylfa by another two years.

Reactor 2 at the Anglesey nuclear station will finish generating electricity on April 30 after more than 41 years.

The shutdown is due to dwindling fuel stocks and all remaining fuel will now be transferred to Reactor 1 with hopes that generation can continue on the site until 2014.

A decision by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on the transfer of partially used fuel from Reactor 2 to Reactor 1 is expected in the summer of this year.

A spokeswoman said the shutdown of one reactor would not reduce jobs at the 600 employee plant but electricity generation will be halved.

Stuart Law, Wylfa Site Director, said: “Reactor 2 has operated safely over the last four decades and this is a credit to the workforce who have maintained and operated the site in a safe and compliant manner.

“We can confirm that it will be shutdown on April 30 and we will now focus on continued generation for Reactor 1.”

Since it opened in 1971, Wylfa has generated over 200TWh (terawatt hours) of electricity.

Each reactor has two turbines and turbine 3 will be kept as back up for the two turbines in Reactor 1.

Brian Burnett, Head of Programme for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which owns the site, said: “Wylfa has a long and proud history of safe electricity generation. Our thanks go to the Magnox workforce, who have been committed to maximising the reactor’s generating life beyond its original planned closure date. The income generated by the plant’s operation has been extremely valuable in supporting the NDA’s mission to decommission the UK’s first generation of civil nuclear sites.

“We will continue to support efforts to maximise the operating life of Reactor 1 within the currently agreed timeframe.”

Richard Waite, President, UK and Europe at Energy Solutions, said: “The 40 plus years of safe generation at Wylfa is a testament to the skill and dedication of the Magnox workforce and my congratulations go to all those, past and present, involved in its success.

“The life extensions secured at Wylfa and Oldbury were significant achievements and we are confident there is more to come at Wylfa, as we continue to generate both additional revenue for the NDA and clean power for the UK.”